Bonnie Highlander caps off winning treble for the Neumann brothers

Alan and Ian Neumann have been involved in harness racing for many years and have raced a number of good horses, including most recently The Brooklyn Brawler, now in Australia. However, until Sunday, they had never owned a winning treble in a day. That was well and truly put to rest as their three runners - Tyron Bettor's Ella, Valloria and Bonnie Highlander all delivered winning perfromances.

Tyron Bettor’s Ella was a good second on the first day and was backed into short odds in the first of the day. After landing a beaut spot in the one-one throughout, she came with an undeniable burst to get up comfortably at short odds. A five year old, Tyron Bettor’s Ella was a late starter in terms of her race career having to overcome injury issues before getting there. She was prepared in her early days by Patrick O’Reilly. Alan and Ian are joined in the ownership of her by Christine and Judy Neumann.

Valloria looked every bit a horse going places with a classy victory in the second race. Well bred as a Majestic Son out of the top mare Savona, Valloria has a fair bit going for him. On day one, he was late clearing a pocket before storming home for third behind Saveapatrol. On Sunday though, he stepped well before handing up to the stablemate in Loveyoutodoit. That runner kept up a strong tempo throughout and gave Valloria a glorious run. He was out of the trail turning for home and ran home a convincing winner. He looks to have a very bright future.

Bonnie Highlander was at cramped odds on Friday after scoring in style first up at Ashburton. However, on that occasion she went into a break when travelling well, losing all chance. On Sunday though, she was really let go in the market as stablemate Sundees Son dominated favouritism. While both runners lost stride early on, in the case of Sundees Son, terminally, Bonnie Highlander was able to work her work back into the race for catch driver Gavin Smith.

Still well off the pacemaker Lady Beatrix Bourbon at the 500m, Bonnie Highlander started to power into the race, three wide with cover. However, she still had a lot of work to do from the 200m when Lavros Texas had assumed what looked like a winning advantage. After angling back to the inside with her run, Bonnie Highlander came with big strides to gather in the leader and then hold out both that runner and a late finisher in the backmarker Destiny Jones.

Bonnie Highlander which is co-owned also by Brent Clarke and Vinnie Neumann, is now starting to fulfil the promise she showed as a three year old last season. There was a real sense with Sunday’s win that she is going to go onto bigger and brighter things.

There are some great people in the game of harness racing, but in Alan and Ian Neumann there are a couple of champion blokes who deserved all their success on a wonderful Sunday afternoon at Richmond Nelson.